It’s getting down to the nitty-gritty for everyone as there is just one week left (after tonight) in the regular season for basketball teams around the state and in northeast Georgia.
Only one of 30 games on the schedule Friday is for outright first place, but several games on both the boys and girls side will shape how region tournaments look in two weeks.
FIRST PLACE SHOWDOWNS
WHITE COUNTY GIRLS at PICKENS (REGION 6-3A) — In a battle of top-four teams in Class 3A in the GHSA’s Postseason Rankings (PSR), the fourth-ranked White County girls (17-5, 9-2 Region 6-3A) travel to No. 1 Pickens (19-2, 10-1 Region 6-3A) with first place on the line.
The Dragonettes knocked off the Lady Warriors 50-46 in their first meeting back on Jan. 3 and come in with a 4-game win streak. However, they have been pushed of late, beating North Hall in a one-possession game (42-39) and holding off GAC in an 8-point win.
The Lady Warriors have battled injuries over the past month but are 6-1 since their loss to Pickens but something will have to give. The Dragonettes are a perfect 8-0 at home while White County is a stellar 8-1 on the road this season.
Kylie Watkins and Emma Lighsey will need to have big games for the Lady Warriors and get some help from the bench for them to force a first place tie with two games left.
Below is a look at some of the other big games set for Tuesday that COULD have an impact on first place in several region standings:
The next two games ALMOST could be called outright first place battles but with several outcomes possible, will just call them massively impactful.
EAST HALL BOYS at CHEROKEE BLUFF (REGION 8-3A) — This is one of two games on Friday in the region that will determine who will be in the driver’s seat over the final week for the No. 1 seed in the region tournament. This will be the third meeting between the two teams, with the Class 3A No. 1-ranked Bears (20-2, 6-1 Region 8-3A) winning both of the first two, first in the Lanierland tournament and then a 76-72 victory in Valhalla earlier this month. HOWEVER, an East Hall (18-3, 6-1 Region 8-3A) win tonight would put the fourth-ranked Vikings one game ahead of Bluff with a split of the regular season region games.
Just like in the first two meetings, it will be a tremendous showdown of guard play. A major key will be if the Vikings can get more quality play from their front-court players than in the first two meetings.And they will need to find a way to slow down the Bears' guard duo of Tyler Underwood and Boston Kersh.
JEFFERSON BOYS at MONROE AREA (REGION 8-3A) — Jefferson (15-5, 6-1 Region 8-3A) is the third team sitting tied for the region lead. The ninth-ranked Dragons lost to East Hall on the road but beat Bluff at The Arena and they hold the fate of the No. 1 seed in their hands. They finish the regular season at home against East Hall and then travel to Bluff next week, which makes their showdown with the Hurricanes a MUST-WIN to be able to set up the final week.
Jefferson routed Monroe Area in their first meeting, 58-41, but is just 4-3 on the road this season. The Hurricanes have dropped four straight and are just 3-5 at home. Winning games you're supposed to win in crunch is not always as easy as it sounds. Jefferson has won four straight since it's loss to East Hall.
BANKS COUNTY GIRLS at RABUN COUNTY (REGION 8-A D1) — Riding a 13-game win streak, the Lady Leopards (16-5, 8-1 Region 8-A D1) suddenly find themselves all alone atop the region standings after No. 2 Elbert County (20-2, 8-2 Region 8-A D1) was upset by Providence Christian on Tuesday.
Banks County split with Elbert during the season and can now capture the No. 1 seed if they win out. But they face a tough road tilt against rival Rabun County (11-9, 3-6 Region 8-A D1) tonight. The Lady Wildcats are having a non-typical down season for them but are always tough at home and the two teams usually bring out the A-games in each other.
Rabun is just 4-2 at home this season but has won 3 of its last 4 in Tiger. If there is a chink in the Lady Leopards armor it’s that they are just 5-3 on the road this season.
